Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-04-07

Gen. AleNandcI's argument Before
the Commerce Com mission.

Gen. AleXandcI's argument Bcforc
the Commerce Com mission.
Gen. +. p. Alexander, President OF the
Central railroad, returned yesterday from
his trip to Washington, where he went to
appear before the Interstate Commerce
Commission. He presented four peti-
tons to that body. as stated In the MORN
ING NEWS. The first was to allow the
Central. with it's connections, to accept
lower rates upon freights between Ros
ton, New York, Philadelphia and Balli-
more IN ths East and Mobile and New
Orleans in The Southwest than tne rates
charged from the same Eastern cries to
intermediate points.
In his argument the President said tuat
Mobile aud New Orleans have direct
water transportation to and from the
Eastern ports mentioned. Water trans
portation costs about One-fourth as much
per mile as the average OF transportation
by rail.
Hence the cost OF freight carriage from
Eastern ports TO these cities b. all water
Is less than the average cost OF transpor-
tation over line largely composed Gi rail.
Rates on trst-class goods d present from
New York city t. Macon are - 90 per
hundred pounds; to Atlanta and Column
bus, ga, 81 IA; to Mobile and New Or
leans the highest raJe which can be OBJ
tained Is about 65c, and the ocean lines 10
these ports are not subject to the inter
state commerce act, and ara free TO reduce
rates at their pleasure, and even to pay
rebates II they choose.
Continuing, the President said: "Evl-
IDENTIFY the rail lines which ! represent,
and in whose behalf / present this petit
ton, cannot compete at Mobile and New
Orleans If they are hampered in such
competition by being required TO reduce
all OF their interior rates 10 Atlanta, Co.
lumbus, and such points, to Csc. and
even lower. Their interior business is
tea times the amount OF the business to
these ports, and the roads could not pay
running expenses ii the rates were re-
duced Delow average cost. They could tar
better afford TO absDdon all EFFORT to par
ticlpate IN this port business, and Will be
driven TO that alternative unless allowed
the relief asked for.''
The President also asked that lower
rates be allowed from the Eastern cities
mentioned above TO Montgomery and
S-lma and interior points cached through
those places than the rates charged from
the same Eastern cities TO points short OF
Montgomery and selma. These two last
named places are also subject to compe-
tition by water through the Gulf ports
and by boats upon the Alabama river.
A similar petition was made for lower
rates from all Western cities to Charles
ton, Port Royal, Savannah, Brunswick,
Fernandina and jacksonville, than the
rates charged from the same Western
ports to immediate local points. 1t was
shown that the railroads nave competi-
ton by water through the Northern lakes
and canals to New York, and thence by
the ocean TO the Southern ports. IL
conclusion the President asked relief for
Chattanooga, Rome, Dalton, Annlston,
Birmingham, Atlanta. Macon, Columbus,
Albany, Fort Gaines, Eulaula, Augusta,
Column bia, Athens, Gainesville, Green
wood, Lsurens, Greenvilie, Anderson and
spartanburg from either Eastern or West
ern cities, because these places paid well
Tor the advantages Of competition which
they now enjoy and taxed themselves 10
raise the money for competing lines be-
fore the new law was thought Of.
An opinion from the commission is eX-
pected early next week at the latest.